When it comes to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race competitors, there’s little wonder why the Mates4Mates charity was selected to receive a record donation from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Associates Committee.

The women’s committee, which has been raising funds for more than 10 years, produced a record $4,200 in donations from the annual Christmas hamper raffle.

President Pam Messenger said the Committee unanimously supported donating the cash to the Mates4Mates charity, which supports wounded, injured and ill Defence personnel.

Aptly, the charity is fielding a team of returned soldiers aboard the Volvo Ocean 60 Spirit of Mateship in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The yacht’s skipper, Russell McCart, who has competed in 12 Sydney Hobart’s, was thrilled to receive the cheque.

'They’ve been blown up, some of these guys have been shot, they’ve been in Black Hawk (helicopter) crashes,’’ McCart said.